Abdel Karim Nafti scored one of the goals that sent Sfaxien into the final

The two compatriots are not the only teams from their country to dominate this year's competition, with Esperanceand Club Africain having also challenged earlier in the season.

Esperance were eliminated by Etoile at the play-off stage and Club Africain fell away to finish third in Group A, five points adrift of cup holders Sfaxien.

Sfaxien meet last year's Champions League winners Etoile on Saturday in the Taieb Mhiri Stadium in the eastern Tunisian merchant city of Sfax.

The venue holds just 18,000, but the clash between two of the country's big four is sure to create a fervent atmosphere nonetheless as the two challenge for Africa's second biggest club title.

The teams have an extra incentive as the winners will become the first club to lift the trophy twice.

Both teams exceeded expectations last year as Sfaxien beat Al-Merreikh of Sudan home and away.

Etoile engineered their own massive upset as they overcame the might of Egypt's Al Ahly to take the Champions League trophy.

Both will be hoping they can call on the reserves of strength they found to triumph in 2007 and claim their second piece of silverware in as many years.

The return leg takes place on Saturday 22 November, where the champions will collect $330,000 and secure a berth in next February's African Super Cup, where they will meet the Champions League holders.

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